Exactly what is a 'true christian'?

Question

Exactly why is it that when someone says something that certain Christians disagree with they roll out the..'As a true Christian' card. Do you consider other people, who disagree with your position, to be false Christians? What’s your secret? What makes you so perfect? What makes you a true Christian as opposed to a false one?

Not just a Christian? A 'true Christian'!

Answer 1

Question: "What is a Christian?"

Answer: Webster’s Dictionary defines a Christian as “a person professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teaching of Jesus.” While this is a good starting point in understanding what a Christian is, like many secular definitions, it falls somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a Christian.

The word Christian is used three times in New Testament (Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. It was originally used by the unsaved people of Antioch as a kind of contemptuous nickname used to make fun of the Christians. It literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or an “adherent or follower of Christ,” which is very similar to the way Webster’s Dictionary defines it.

Unfortunately over time, the word "Christian" has lost a great deal of it significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values instead of a true born again follower of Jesus Christ. Many people who don’t believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a "Christian" nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. As one evangelist once said, “Going to church doesn’t make one a Christian anymore than going to a garage makes one an automobile.” Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church cannot make you a Christian.

The Bible teaches us that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to God. Titus 3:5 tells us that it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born-again by God (John 3:3; John 3:7; 1 Peter 1:23) and has put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that it is “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” A true Christian is someone who has repented of his or her sin and put faith and trust in Jesus Christ alone. Their trust is not in following a religion or a set of moral codes, or a list of do’s and don’ts.

A true Christian is a person who has put his or her faith and trust in the person of Jesus Christ and fact that He died on the cross as payment for sins and rose again on the third day to obtain victory over death and to give eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 1:12 tells us: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” A true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has been given new life in Christ. The mark of a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Word (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:10)

Answer 2

No one is perfect, not even people who claim to be perfect 50 year churchgoers, etc.. There are way too many false religions out there. I do consider other people who disagree with the scriptures in the bible being a false Christian.
There is only one truth. The scriptures are inspired by GOD, so go by the bible and see that the bible says. It has the truth.

Answer 3

A Christian is someone who believes that Christ came to earth in human form and died on the cross for our sins. Why? Because EVERYONE is a sinner, including me--a Christian. A Christian should never judge someone for a sin they commit, because it is impossible to be perfect. Looking at a woman with lust makes you an adulterer. Dressing to make a man look at you with lust already makes you an adulterer. And no one on this earth can claim they have never done one of the two. Read the Bible. It really is a lot more interesting than you might think and it defines any question you might have about being a Christian.

Answer 4

There are some who are nominal Christians. Hearers but not doers of the Word. Some just do whatever part of God's word that suits them and disregard the rest. The parable of sower who sowed on rocky soil - people receive the salvation message all differently. When the cares of this life come it tests us to see where exactly we're at in our Christian walk. Whether we lean on God's wisdom and power or on man's ways. Like our Pastor said today there is no "Plan B" for a Christian - it's just doing, believing, practicing, trusting the Word of God no matter what you're going through.

Answer 5

To me a false Christian is one who would deny Jesus role in the whole picture. Jesus was there from the very beginning before even Adam and Eve. There are those in this world and in this country who believe anyone can have what Jesus does and can be a god in their own right. There are those who do not believe our Messiah has arrived on the scene yet and can be confused with Christianity.

Answer 6

There is no such thing as a true Christian. We all put our pants on and do basically the same things and some worse than others. We are born in Sin and that means everybody is a sinner so there is not one perfect amongst us on Earth today. You can only evaluate yourself and conduct yourself in a manner that is pleasing to you, but it pouts you not above anyone else. Even Christians that are married enjoy the love of sex in many ways that you would think..."Oh and their Christians...lol"

Answer 7

To be a christian is to be Christ like. Nothing but the Blood of Jesus makes me perfect. their is nothing good in me except Him. I try not to judge other peoples opinions on things people arn't perfect they make mistakes. I try to just stay with God's opinion on things because He is perfect and doesn't make mistakes. when it comes to judgeing others , will I really don't feel qualified to do that. I think God can handle the job if your worried about someone you Love and what they think I would say maybe instead of an argument you should just Love them, and pray about the matter. God can clear up and misunderstanding.

Answer 8

The answer to your question is found in the Bible itself. Here are some traits of a true Christian:

John 13:35. They love one another. So, they don't go to war
John 17:16. They are no part of this world just as Christ is no part of this world. This means they uphold God's law on morality; and the preaching of the Kingdom of God is their 1st priority in life. (Mat 6:33)

They know and let people know the name of the true God, Jehovah. In their Bible, the name of God is not hidden. Read Matthew 6:9; John 17:3,6.

Answer 9

I am a true Christian and what makes me one is because I have accepted the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross for the salvation of my soul, to give me life more abundantly.He did it so that I might be saved.
I accept I cannot be saved without His precious Blood being poured out for me! My Salvation is because of my faith in God not by my deeds so that I cannot boast except in the Cross.
I profess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour and aim to do as He says and the Holy Spirit lives in me and reminds/instructs me in the ways of My Lord.
A true Christian is told to be 'perfect even as your Father in Heaven is Perfect'...Mathew chapter 5 verse 48.
Please stop using the name 'God', Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse His Name.(The 2nd Commandment),
Deutoronomy chapter 5 verse 11.

Answer 10

let me tell you what is not a true christian: the pope and a christian who thinks they are a perfect christian. because no one is perfect. that's why God is merciful because we can be forgivin for our sins. there are lots of false believers who say they follow god. cause there could be 10 christians in a room maybe 5 or less really believe.

Answer 11

A christian should be a person who believes in Jesus as the Christ which means "annointed One", a designation for the messiah the jews waited for to take them out of bondage of the Roman empire. The jews of Jesus time thought he was this person, yet he never claimed to be this deliverer. He came to point the way to the creator whom he called "Our Father." Remember that prayer? Jesus didnt say pray "Our Jesus" but a greater, all spiritual being who is the father of us all.
Those who call themselves Christian usually fight between themselves because they want Jesus and The Father to fit into their small minded theology. One says worship him this way, some another. They are all wrong.
Jesus taught us to love one another and to pray to the Father. ANyone who does otherwise is as lost as the world was when dinosaurs roamed the earth.